Seeking Refuge

By sea they came, weary from the long travel but lifted by thoughts of the better world ahead of them;

For them, but more importantly, for their children.

By sea they came, chased from their homes knowing death awaited for them if they attempted to return.

Off the coast of America, Off the coast of Canada;

By sea they stayed, waiting for permission to enter;

A permission that was never received.

Time passed, and they were denied entry, for them, for their children:

They were sent back.

The year was 1939, the ship was the SS St Louis.

900 Jews were aboard the German liner, captained by a German who saw what was happening and tried to save who he could. Both the US and Canada refused to let these refugees have any semblance of safety, citing national security concerns-

What if there were German spies among them? What if a relative in their native country was being held hostage, what would these refugees do to help them? Would they sabotage? Would they kill?

The ship was sent back to Germany, finding no safe hour.

Out of those 900, close to 300 of them died during the war and ensuing holocaust.

How many more could have been saved?

How many Muslims can we save now?

History is destined to repeat itself, until we don’t let it.

Quote of the Day

“First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.”
-Martin Niemoller